}}{{tnr}}'''Joseph Yost''' is a 2011 [[Republican]] candidate for [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011#District 12|District 12]] of the [[Virginia House of Delegates]].

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|Personal website =

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}}{{tnr}}'''Joseph R. Yost''' is a [[Republican]] member of the [[Virginia House of Delegates]], representing District 12. He was first elected in to the chamber in [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011|2011]].

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Yost earned his Vachelors of Schience and Masters of Arts in criminal justice from Radford University in four years.

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==Biography==

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Yost earned his B.S. and M.A. in criminal justice from Radford University. His professional experience includes working as a jail diversion coordinator at Mental Health Association of the New River Valley.

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==Elections==

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==Committee assignments==

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===2011===

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===2012-2013===

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:: ''See also: [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011]]''

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In the 2012-2013 session, Yost served on the following committees:

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* [[Education Committee, Virginia House|Education]]

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Yost is running in the 2011 election for [[Virginia House of Delegates]] District 12. He is uncontested in the August 23 primary as well as the November 8 general election.

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I pledge to take a stand with fiscal responsibility and I will work hard to see that wasteful and frivolous government spending is taken out of the budget. I will also advocate for responsible long-term planning in the form of the building up the rainy day fund to help prevent future budget crises."

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I pledge to take a stand with fiscal responsibility and I will work hard to see that wasteful and frivolous government spending is taken out of the budget. I will also advocate for responsible long-term planning in the form of the building up the rainy day fund to help prevent future budget crises."

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*'''Behavioral Health

*'''Behavioral Health

Excerpt: "As Delegate, I will work hard to increase the continuity of care within Virginia and strengthen our community-based mental health system."

Excerpt: "As Delegate, I will work hard to increase the continuity of care within Virginia and strengthen our community-based mental health system."

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*'''Jobs

*'''Jobs

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I will work hard to see that unnecessary taxes are lowered or removed all together and intrusive big government is put back in its place to provide an environment for increased job creation."

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I will work hard to see that unnecessary taxes are lowered or removed all together and intrusive big government is put back in its place to provide an environment for increased job creation."

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*'''Liberty & Freedom

*'''Liberty & Freedom

Excerpt: "In an era where government intrusion and regulations are increasing exponentially, nothing is more important than maintaining our personal freedom and liberty. As your Delegate, I will work to ensure that the freedom of the residents of the 12th, the Commonwealth and the Nation are maintained as our Founders envisioned."

Excerpt: "In an era where government intrusion and regulations are increasing exponentially, nothing is more important than maintaining our personal freedom and liberty. As your Delegate, I will work to ensure that the freedom of the residents of the 12th, the Commonwealth and the Nation are maintained as our Founders envisioned."

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*'''Veterans Issues

*'''Veterans Issues

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I will work to see that the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program increases its capacity and services offered through its program. These men and women gave their all for us, we should be able to give something back them."

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I will work to see that the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program increases its capacity and services offered through its program. These men and women gave their all for us, we should be able to give something back them."

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*'''The People

*'''The People

Excerpt: "I believe that the residents of the 12th District deserve a real voice in Richmond and someone who understands their values. As your Delegate, I will work my hardest to see that the people of the 12th have a voice comparable to those in Northern Virginia and the Tidewater area. The Commonwealth doesn't end at Roanoke!"

Excerpt: "I believe that the residents of the 12th District deserve a real voice in Richmond and someone who understands their values. As your Delegate, I will work my hardest to see that the people of the 12th have a voice comparable to those in Northern Virginia and the Tidewater area. The Commonwealth doesn't end at Roanoke!"

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==Elections==

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===2013===

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:: ''See also: [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2013]]''

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Yost won re-election in the [[State legislative elections, 2013|2013 election]] for [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2013|Virginia House of Delegates]] District 12. Yost ran unopposed in the June 11th Republican Primary. He defeated [[James Harder]] (D) in the general election on November 5, 2013.<ref>[http://electionresults.virginia.gov/resultsSW.aspx?type=HOD&map=CTY ''Virginia Board of Elections,'' “Official Results - 2013 General Election," accessed December 2, 2013]</ref>

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{{Election box 2013

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|Chamber= Virginia House of Delegates, District 12 General Election

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|party1= Republican

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|party2= Democratic

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|party3= Write-in

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|winner1 = Joseph Yost

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|Inc1=Y

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|Inc2=

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|votes1 = 9541

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|candidate2 = James Harder

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|candidate3= Write-in

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|votes2 = 8650

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|votes3=50

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}}

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====Race snapshot====

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:: ''See also: [[2013 Elections Preview: Some seats may switch parties in the Virginia House of Delegates]]''

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Harder is a Ph.D. student and former Congressional staffer who chose to contest a district held by Democrats for years until 2011, when incumbent [[Joseph Yost]] ([[Republican|R]]) won the district with just under 52 percent of the vote. President [[Barack Obama]] ([[Democratic|D]]) won 51 percent of the vote within this district's borders in 2012, and [[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Bob McDonnell]] ([[Republican|R]]) captured 51 percent of the vote here in 2009, suggesting this was truly a swing district. However, Yost's moderate views and record won him the endorsement of LGBT rights group Equality Virginia PAC, which did not endorse any other [[Republican]] House of Delegates candidates during the 2013 election cycle, and won Yost the award "2013 Legislative Champion of the Year" from the Virginia Education Association. Harder's campaign was endorsed by the pro-[[Democratic]] group Democracy for America.<ref>[http://www.vpap.org/elections/district/47 ''VPAP'', "House of Delegates District 12," accessed October 2, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.wsls.com/story/21559226/delegate-joseph-yost-dubbed-legislative-champion-of-the-year ''WSLS'', "Delegate Joseph Yost dubbed Legislative Champion of the Year"]</ref><ref>[http://www.metroweekly.com/poliglot/2013/09/equality-virginia-pac-releases-first-wave-of-state.html ''MetroWeekly'', "Equality Virginia PAC releases first wave of state delegate endorsements," September 25, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/republicans-certain-to-retain-control-of-virginia-house-of-delegates/ ''University of Virginia Center for Politics, Sabato's Crystal Ball'', "Republicans Certain to Retain Control of Virginia House of Delegates," August 8, 2013]</ref><ref>[http://democracyforamerica.com/campaigns/2896-harder-for-the-house ''Democracy for America'', "Harder for the House," accessed October 2, 2013]</ref>

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===2011===

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:: ''See also: [[Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011]]''

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On November 8, 2011, Yost won election to District 12 of the [[Virginia House of Delegates]]. He was uncontested in the August 23 primary and defeated [[Don Langrehr]] (D) in the November 8 general election.<ref>[https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2011/EB178FD6-875D-4B0D-A295-900A0482F523/Official/8_s.shtml ''Virginia State Board of Elections'' - November 2011 General Election Official Results]</ref>

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{{Election box 2011

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|Chamber= Virginia House of Delegates, District 12 General Election

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|party1= Republican

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|party2= Democratic

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|winner1 = Joseph Yost

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|votes1 = 8104

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|candidate2 = Don Langrehr

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|votes2 = 7582

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}}

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==Campaign donors==

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===2011===

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In 2011, Yost received $351,338 in campaign donations. The top contributors are listed below.<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=VA&y=2011&f=H&so=O#sorttable Follow the Money - 2011 contributions]</ref>

Biography

Yost earned his B.S. and M.A. in criminal justice from Radford University. His professional experience includes working as a jail diversion coordinator at Mental Health Association of the New River Valley.

Issues

Campaign themes

2011

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I pledge to take a stand with fiscal responsibility and I will work hard to see that wasteful and frivolous government spending is taken out of the budget. I will also advocate for responsible long-term planning in the form of the building up the rainy day fund to help prevent future budget crises."

Behavioral Health

Excerpt: "As Delegate, I will work hard to increase the continuity of care within Virginia and strengthen our community-based mental health system."

Jobs

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I will work hard to see that unnecessary taxes are lowered or removed all together and intrusive big government is put back in its place to provide an environment for increased job creation."

Liberty & Freedom

Excerpt: "In an era where government intrusion and regulations are increasing exponentially, nothing is more important than maintaining our personal freedom and liberty. As your Delegate, I will work to ensure that the freedom of the residents of the 12th, the Commonwealth and the Nation are maintained as our Founders envisioned."

Veterans Issues

Excerpt: "As your Delegate, I will work to see that the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program increases its capacity and services offered through its program. These men and women gave their all for us, we should be able to give something back them."

The People

Excerpt: "I believe that the residents of the 12th District deserve a real voice in Richmond and someone who understands their values. As your Delegate, I will work my hardest to see that the people of the 12th have a voice comparable to those in Northern Virginia and the Tidewater area. The Commonwealth doesn't end at Roanoke!"

Race snapshot

Harder is a Ph.D. student and former Congressional staffer who chose to contest a district held by Democrats for years until 2011, when incumbent Joseph Yost (R) won the district with just under 52 percent of the vote. President Barack Obama (D) won 51 percent of the vote within this district's borders in 2012, and GovernorBob McDonnell (R) captured 51 percent of the vote here in 2009, suggesting this was truly a swing district. However, Yost's moderate views and record won him the endorsement of LGBT rights group Equality Virginia PAC, which did not endorse any other Republican House of Delegates candidates during the 2013 election cycle, and won Yost the award "2013 Legislative Champion of the Year" from the Virginia Education Association. Harder's campaign was endorsed by the pro-Democratic group Democracy for America.[3][4][5][6][7]